Assemblyman Michael Novakhov (R-Brooklyn) voiced his displeasure with the cuts to education and law enforcement proposed by Mayor Adams. The proposed cuts to the NYPD would bring the number of police officers to the lowest levels in decades. Novakhov argues this will negatively affect public safety.

“At a time when New Yorkers are feeling unsafe in their own communities due to radical legislation like Bail Reform and Raise the Age, it is very foolish that the City would add to this by reducing the number of cops on the street. As a former officer, Mayor Adams should know how important this is. As always, I will back the blue wholeheartedly and fight to make sure their budget is not cut,” said Novakhov.

Novakhov also has decried the mayor's efforts to cut funding to education, specifically pre-school funding. Under the mayor's plan, funding for preschool will be slashed by more than $120 million annually, resulting in the price of sending children to school in the City skyrocketing.

“I hear every day from parents that things are just too expensive and inflation has taken a toll on their budget, so what does Mayor Adams decide to do? He makes childcare even more expensive. Parents are rightfully concerned they cannot afford to live in the City with children. If we want to stop the flow of outmigration, we must ease the burden on working families, not increase it.

While advocating for responsible budgeting and government streamlining, Novakhov suggests alternative areas for cost-cutting, such as reconsidering the four-borough jail plan, projected to cost taxpayers $312 million annually at a total of $8.9 billion.

"While we agree on the need to reduce government waste, essential services like education and public safety should be protected. Rather than investing billions in new jails, we could save significantly by addressing the shortcomings of existing facilities like Rikers Island. This approach not only saves taxpayer money but also ensures public safety is upheld," concluded Novakhov.